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Old Dec 17, 2021 | 08:36 PM
  #21  
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For reference I have used all oem gaskets for my ARH headers. I also used ARP studs instead of the bolts that were supplied. No leaks but its only been around 100 miles since install. Installation was very smooth.
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Old Dec 17, 2021 | 09:45 PM
  #22  
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Why the ARP studs vs. the included hardware?
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 04:30 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by Kracka
Why the ARP studs vs. the included hardware?
​​​​​​Mainly preference. Preserves the block threads and a lot easier to install the headers if I can just hang the gasket and header on the studs.
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 07:04 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Mikeki7
​​​​​​Mainly preference. Preserves the block threads and a lot easier to install the headers if I can just hang the gasket and header on the studs.
I wish I used studs. it definitely was a great idea.
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 08:35 AM
  #25  
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Arp 434-1401?

Last edited by Kracka; Dec 18, 2021 at 08:51 AM.
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Old Dec 18, 2021 | 09:25 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Kracka
Arp 434-1401?
Yep its ARP 434-1401, they aren't always in stock and may take a while to get. You will also need a 10mm 12 point socket.
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Old Jan 8, 2022 | 06:27 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by J5isalive
we put heat blankets on them so even after 25 minutes sessions on track, no ill effects.

From others i have talked to they had an issue with too much heat in the engine bay making the review camera cut in and cut out (i guess that would only impact 2LT and 3 LT owners),
Have you heard of anyone melting spark plugs wires? I'm wondering if I should get some high-temp sleeves.
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Old Jan 10, 2022 | 11:22 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Kracka
Have you heard of anyone melting spark plugs wires? I'm wondering if I should get some high-temp sleeves.
We put high temp sleeves on the wires when doing the install... its cheap insurance. However i dont think i have heard or read of anyone melting wires with headers. But for $40 bucks for sleeves its probably worth just doing it.
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Old Jan 10, 2022 | 11:32 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Kracka
That is disappointing to hear considering the hefty gains they claim:
All our testing was done within 3-4 hours. We tested 3 different sizes and saw significant differences between the sizes. 1-7/8" showed the best results. We then installed high flow cats and saw no appreciable gains over the factory cats. Our test results were backed up by the owner (Snowblind 2.0) of the C8 independently. He also has the quickest and fastest N/A C8 presently. If you know anything about ARH and how we built our reputation, it's not built on BS claims. I'd rather not sell any of our header systems if we're misrepresenting or misleading our potential customers. I don't know what happened with your particular situation, but there's many C8's currently wearing our headers and making improved power over stock. Some of the most reputable Corvette shops in the country install our C8 headers regularly. There's no misleading going on on our part or there's.

Nick
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Old Jan 10, 2022 | 11:53 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by AR Headers
All our testing was done within 3-4 hours. We tested 3 different sizes and saw significant differences between the sizes. 1-7/8" showed the best results. We then installed high flow cats and saw no appreciable gains over the factory cats. Our test results were backed up by the owner (Snowblind 2.0) of the C8 independently. He also has the quickest and fastest N/A C8 presently. If you know anything about ARH and how we built our reputation, it's not built on BS claims. I'd rather not sell any of our header systems if we're misrepresenting or misleading our potential customers. I don't know what happened with your particular situation, but there's many C8's currently wearing our headers and making improved power over stock. Some of the most reputable Corvette shops in the country install our C8 headers regularly. There's no misleading going on on our part or there's.

Nick
you are claiming 40HP midrange gains... gotta be worth atleast 1 or 2 mph on the long back straight at Road Atlanta. Again, i can compare to 20+ track days and dont see a single difference in acceleration or top end. It is what it is at that point to me.
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Old Jan 10, 2022 | 12:25 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by J5isalive
you are claiming 40HP midrange gains... gotta be worth atleast 1 or 2 mph on the long back straight at Road Atlanta. Again, i can compare to 20+ track days and dont see a single difference in acceleration or top end. It is what it is at that point to me.
And that's exactly what happened that day on JTM's dyno. Results have varied from what we've gathered since releasing these kits to market, but they always make power. We've had one situation where there was no power gains. The A/F went significantly rich and it was never determined why. This is highly uncharacteristic as any of the shops that install these kits can attest. To say that you can make a change that radical and not make a significant change in performance, one way or the other, defies logic. It's beyond our control if there's other factors that played a roll in the results. Like I said, I don't know what happened in your case.
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Old Jan 10, 2022 | 03:07 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by AR Headers
And that's exactly what happened that day on JTM's dyno. Results have varied from what we've gathered since releasing these kits to market, but they always make power. We've had one situation where there was no power gains. The A/F went significantly rich and it was never determined why. This is highly uncharacteristic as any of the shops that install these kits can attest. To say that you can make a change that radical and not make a significant change in performance, one way or the other, defies logic. It's beyond our control if there's other factors that played a roll in the results. Like I said, I don't know what happened in your case.
Well, I'm an outlier then. And its not like I want to be an outlier, i waited months to get the headers due to slow production... would have cancelled the order had i not wanted them. Can only talk about the experience with them; No visible power increase and a flange that wasnt decked enough to use the superior stock gaskets that have heat shielding.

Just calling it as i saw it.
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Old Jan 10, 2022 | 07:19 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by J5isalive
Just calling it as i saw it.
I appreciate the honest feedback; unacceptable for headers that are priced at a premium north of $2k. My $1,660 AFE coated headers are now nearly $2,300 which seems insane.
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Old Jan 11, 2022 | 09:34 PM
  #34  
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Good write up OP !!

Originally Posted by J5isalive
Just calling it as i saw it.
I've read your posts and I feel bad for you that the gains on the PDR? weren't noticeable. I'm not a road course guy, I find it ironic that when I'm at the dragstrip people always come up to me and say "man I can't believe you beat on your car like that!" and I think to myself, those crazy twisty guys are the ones you should be scolding...my pass lasts less than 11 seconds lol.
As was mentioned, I had my car dyno'd on 2 different machines for a before/after and the results posted are legit. Maybe you have a dyno shop near you to dial in your car and see if their is any underlying issues ? For the straight line guys timeslips are king for measuring gains, not sure with all the variables involved if that is the same in your case.

The #1 & #2 quickest and fastest C8's run A.R. headers so I don't think that is coincidence. Good luck with your car man


Also, the fit and finish were top notch. After almost 2 years on my car not 1 issue with heat (no shields) or leaks.
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Old Jan 12, 2022 | 08:24 AM
  #35  
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Well said Snowblind. You just can't rely on dyno numbers alone. Carlos Rios, I few weeks ago ran 10.38@129 with the ARH and his bolt ons at Bradenton Motorsport Florida. If that's not proof then I don't know what is. His dyno results is 526rwhp with all bolt ons. Just wondering what a tune would do, if anything to this car. Having said that I would be inclined to install the ARH as my choice along with the Halltech or AFE intake system.
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Old Jan 12, 2022 | 08:33 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Snowblind2.0
After almost 2 years on my car not 1 issue with heat (no shields) or leaks.
Wow, that is very reassuring, thank you for adding this note!
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Old Jan 12, 2022 | 10:22 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by J5isalive
I had my ARH installed... I can tell you with 95% certainty that they made zero difference. 3 weeks separating track days; temperatures 1 day vs the other nearly identical, data from both days, not 1 iota of difference in acceleration or top speed on track.

Honestly pretty disappointing. I forget what HP they are claiming, but it sure as hell doesnt show itself on track at all.
Did you do a before and after dyno? I'm sure if you picked up what ARH claim, you'd feel it pull especially up top.

My ARH will be going on in April along with a ported throttle body, ported intake, and Attack Blue filter. I'm doing a before and after dyno to see what these simple bolt-ons do.
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Old Jan 12, 2022 | 02:03 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by WHPLASH
Did you do a before and after dyno? I'm sure if you picked up what ARH claim, you'd feel it pull especially up top.

My ARH will be going on in April along with a ported throttle body, ported intake, and Attack Blue filter. I'm doing a before and after dyno to see what these simple bolt-ons do.
We didnt bother to dyno as we were going to the track the next day. I'm not using the PDR to see data increases, i'm using an AIM Solo, so any acceleration change or top end change would be very notable in any overlay. Dyno Results are great we just didnt have time... but 60-130 times typically tell the same story as a dyno increase and unfortunately I see no decrease in 60-130 times. I have compared against data from a ton of track days at various temperatures. The car is a track car and the track results are the only thing that matters to me.

I'm not giving up, we'll throw intake manifold and throttle body on the car and see if the car responds to more air, at that point i'm sure the more free flowing headers would prove beneficial.
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Old Jan 12, 2022 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by J5isalive
We didnt bother to dyno as we were going to the track the next day. I'm not using the PDR to see data increases, i'm using an AIM Solo, so any acceleration change or top end change would be very notable in any overlay. Dyno Results are great we just didnt have time... but 60-130 times typically tell the same story as a dyno increase and unfortunately I see no decrease in 60-130 times. I have compared against data from a ton of track days at various temperatures. The car is a track car and the track results are the only thing that matters to me.

I'm not giving up, we'll throw intake manifold and throttle body on the car and see if the car responds to more air, at that point i'm sure the more free flowing headers would prove beneficial.
My car is stored for the winter, but I have everything ready for the install when the weather breaks. Katech will be doing my installation. I'll post in this Tech section my before and after. Fingers crossed.
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Old Aug 1, 2022 | 04:53 PM
  #40  
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Dyno's are great for keyboard racers and tuning. Nothing is better than time slips from the track. In a well sorted combo, gains are incremental and expensive. Pro stock teams would sell their internal organs on the black-market to pick up.02 at the stripe. Good times trying and experimenting!

Craig
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